HEFTILY EVER AFTER
A study in Health Psychology reports that a good marriage might be bad for your waistline. Happily hitched men gained more weight in the 4 years after their wedding than those who were disenchanted with their spousal status. The reason: When your bond is strong, your wife is the only person who has to be pleased with your body. But a guy who’s even entertaining the thought of leaving may stay in shape, even subconsciously, with an eye on the dating, says study author.

DID YOU KNOW
People who sleep only 5 hours a night gained 2 pounds in 5 days.
Source: University of Colorado

BLOOD PRESSURE WARNING
New York researchers found that normal blood pressure readings take at a doctor’s office or clinic might be masking high blood pressure. About 16% of healthy adults they studied registered higher readings in non-medical settings.

TALE OF THE TAPE
According to a Chinese study, men can predict their diabetes risk with a tape measure. The study found that men with a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.5 or higher were more likely than those with a lower ratio to have either prediabetes or undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. Study author says, this method my trump body-mass index and waist-to-hip ratio as a way to gauge visceral fat – the lard that lurks between your organs and disrupts your blood sugar. To find your ratio, wrap a tape measure around your waist at the midpoint – between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bones. Divide that figure by your height in inches.

LATE-NIGHT SNACK ATTACK
According to a U.K. study, evening eating may lead to high blood pressure. People who consumed the most calories – an average of 443 – after dinner also had the largest increase in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure over 10 years. One theory: Late-night eating interferes with blood-vessel-dilating compound called nitric oxide, the researchers say.

NUTS AND CANCER
A series of studies by Imperial College London found that people who ate a daily ounce of nuts slashed their risk of heart disease by nearly a third and a risk of cancer 15%. Researchers say walnuts, sunflower seeds, pecans, and peanuts – even peanut butter will help.

NOT-SO-KOSHER
Yale University researchers may have discovered one trigger for the myriad and mysterious range of autoimmune diseases. In their study, mice that ate salty meals produced T cells that attacked other immune-system cells. The reason: When you consume excess sodium, these harmful T cells may form in your gut and move throughout your body, causing diseases in other organs, says study author. Try to limit your intake to 2,300 milligrams or less of sodium a day.

NO NO YO-YO DIET
British researchers warn that yo-yo dieting may cause you to gain weight. Doctors found that the brain interrupts diets as famine and triggers the body to store fat. They say the best approach to weight loss is to eat less and more exercise.

HEALTH TIP
Bilberry is an amazing antioxidant herb that has been used for over 800 years. It is noted for improving night vision and eyesight in War World II aviators. Consider adding bilberry to your diet or supplement regime to improve eyesight and night vision.

FRUITS FOR LONGER LIFE
Antioxidant fruits with the highest levels of anthocyanosides, which oppose free radical oxidation and keep the body healthy, include blackberries, blueberries, cherries, red grapes, plums, raisins, and prunes. Consume more of these fruits to increase antioxidants naturally and increase longevity.

DID YOU KNOW
Babies are always born with blue eyes. The color of your eyes depends on the genes you get from your parents, but at birth most babies appear to have blue eyes. The reason behind this is the pigment melanin. The melanin in a newborn’s eyes often needs time after birth to be fully deposited or to be darkened by exposure to ultraviolet light, later revealing the baby’s true eye color.